Ain’t no mountain high enough for bnei mitzvah kids

Bnei Mitzvah Charity Challenge leaders (l-r) Matthew and Natalie Jackson and Sarah Sultman MBE [Missing Credit]

The need for a bigger youth hostel in the Lake District brought challenges, as did the weather. Although they always experience some rain in North West England, volunteer leader Matthew Jackson said that this was the “first year where the weather really presented a challenge. It was by far the worst weather we have had.” Despite the treacherous conditions, no one complained during the 3,000ft climb. “Everyone embraced the challenge – it was real team building.” 

Sultman said that the character development of the young people was an important aspect of the programme. On the coach journey up, it was apparent that “some kids had been cajoled by their parents, or were anxious about the prospect of a long climb”. Sultman explained that to address these issues, the format of the programme had been “honed over the years. We give everyone a taste of hiking on Friday, then celebrate Shabbat together before the big climb on Sunday.”

The Bnei Mitzvah Charity Challenge 2025 group take a well-deserved break (Photo: Bnei Mitzvah Charity Challenge)[Missing Credit]

The Bnei Mitzvah Charity Challenge is not affiliated to a specific charity. Each individual child must choose a cause to raise money for. During a moving evening event, each child explains to the group the reasons for their choice. “They’re all very emotional and include some deeply, deeply personal causes,” Sultman told the JC. “From that, we go straight into Kabbalat Shabbat.” To date, around 300 children have raised over £600,000.

After being invited on the initial Bnei Mitzvah Charity Challenge, mountaineer Alan Hinkes OBE has returned year after year. The first British mountaineer to climb all 14 Himalayan peaks over 8,000 metres, the non-Jewish climbing legend now inspires the Jewish youth with a talk on the Shabbat afternoon.

Sultman stressed how the annual event wouldn’t be possible without the volunteers who assist simply “because they love it”.

Celebrated climber Alan Hinkes (centre) with Sarah and Richard Sultman (Photo: Bnei Mitzvah Charity Challenge)[Missing Credit]

Jackson said that “sharing our love for the outdoors and adventure whilst raising significant sums of money” was what motivated him to help.

Now sponsored by Israel Bonds, the Challenge offers bursaries, and the funding enable organisers to purchase reusable equipment, removing the need for single-use plastics during the stay in a youth hostel.